Field Sobriety Testing

Generally, when law enforcement suspects you of driving under the influence, they will ask you to perform a series of standardized field sobriety tests.  A field sobriety test is a physical test designed to determine your level of intoxication, although, because everyone is different, it is far from an exact science.  These tests are completely voluntary, though most of the time the officer will not tell you this.  Instead, law enforcement administers these tests for the purpose of developing evidence against you and justifying your arrest.  Often, the police officer’s report of your field sobriety tests will differ significantly from your actual performance.

If you have been arrested for drunk driving based on a field sobriety tests, you have a case where we can make a difference.  Our lawyers and experts are trained to dissect each field sobriety test and the claims that officers make about them.  Please contact a Los Angeles DUI attorney at Lieber Williams & Labin as soon as possible.  To get a good result on your case, you must have an experienced attorney to fight for you.  Our lawyers will work tirelessly on your behalf in order to give you the best possible chance at receiving a positive outcome in your DUI case.

Types of Field Sobriety Tests in California

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN): The officer will ask you to follow a light or an object with your eyes.  The officer will observe the way your eyes follow the object, evaluating things such as oscillation of your eye muscles and smoothness of movement.

Walk and Turn: The officer will ask you to take nine steps away from him on a either a real or imaginary line, then turn and take nine steps back along the same line.  You will be evaluated on things such as whether your heel touches your toe on each step, whether you step off the line, and whether you use your arms to balance – even if the officer never tells you the areas you’ll be graded on.

One Leg Stand: You will be ordered to hold one leg out in front of you and stand on the other leg for 30 seconds while the officer looks to see if you wobble or use your arms to balance.  This is regardless of the fact that most people standing on one leg wobble and use their arms to balance even when they are completely sober.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) field sobriety tests have a maximum accuracy of only 80%.  However, without an experienced attorney fighting for you, this fact may never be brought out to help your case.  At Lieber Williams & Labin, your attorney will use everything possible to maximize your chances of a favorable outcome.